A temporary change allowing eligible Chinese and Pacific Island Forum passport holders to “cross the ditch” without a visitor visa — using an NZeTA instead — has produced 36,800 visits since November, the Government says.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said 54,000 NZeTA requests had been approved for the trial to date, and that the vast majority of visits recorded so far were by Chinese travellers — around 36,200 of the 36,800.

Using the International Visitor Survey’s average spend for Chinese visitors of $5,800, the ministers estimate about $210 million in visitor spending has flowed to local businesses from those arrivals.

Ministers also pointed to early indications the policy change influenced travel decisions. Surveys of travellers found 85% of Chinese respondents and 82% of Pacific respondents said they came specifically because of the new option.

Two-thirds of those using the pathway started their trip at a South Island international airport, according to the Government.

The 12‑month trial, introduced in November, allows eligible Chinese and Pacific Island Forum passport holders travelling from Australia to enter without a visitor visa by applying for an NZeTA instead. The Government says the switch reduces cost and processing time:

• Chinese travellers coming via Australia can pay as little as $117 for an NZeTA with processing in about 24 hours, compared with $441 and an average of four days for a visitor visa.
• Pacific travellers can pay as low as $17 for an NZeTA, rather than $216 and an average six‑day wait for a visitor visa.

The ministers framed the move as support for the wider tourism economy, noting tourism remains a major export earner. No detail was provided on the survey methodology or sample size behind the decision‑driver statistics, and no breakdown of spending by region was released.

The pathway remains a trial for now, and applies only to eligible travellers coming from Australia.